Dyson V8 Cordless Vacuum Review

Review overview

Features9

Battery Life8.5

Design & Accessories9.5

Performance9.5

Value8.5

Summary

9Our Score
The Dyson V8 Absolute is a widely popular battery powered hoover, despite its high price tag. Its primary improvement over the earlier V6 and V7 models is battery life and a more powerful ‘max’ mode for spot cleaning.

What is the Dyson V8 Absolute?

In a world where ‘cordless’ is becoming less of a bonus marketing feature and more of a practical requirement, many people are turning to cordless vacuum cleaners. The problem is that in the not too distant past this didn’t lend well to items that required a lot of power to function properly. Dyson has fixed this issue with their advanced line of powerful ‘floor to ceiling’ battery hoovers, and especially with their flagship V8 products.

The Dyson V8 range should be at the top of your list if you’re in the market for a cordless hoover that will perform consistently. The Dyson V8 Absolute model is one of three in the line-up that is designed as a do-it-all option whether you have carpets or hard flooring. It’s a versatile, all-round cordless hoover that sits at the top of the throne alongside the V8 Animal and V8 Total Clean. It’s important to note that all three are essentially the same product with the primary variance being the attachments. The Total Clean has all the available attachments, while the Animal option comes with a head better suited to picking up animal hair.

With all that said, just how far have Dyson come with their V8 model which succeeds their V6 line? We go hands-on with this product to provide you with an in-depth, unbiased V8 Absolute review for you to be able to learn the abilities and limitations without all the marketing hype.

Pros

Versatile – Can be used for a variety of flooring types and areas (hard floors, carpets, curtains, shelves, vehicles etc.).

Bagless – Uses a ‘hygienic dirt ejector’ which means you can empty the dirt efficiently.

Battery Life – 40 minutes on ‘powerful’ mode (compared to 20 minutes on the V6).

Quiet – Great for those with sleeping children or noise-sensitive neighbours.

Easy to Clean Filters – You can use cold running water to clean both filters.

Cons

Max Mode Battery Usage – Although designed for spot cleaning, this setting can only be used for approximately 7 minutes.

Expensive – Considered by many to be the best cordless vacuum cleaner, but this comes at a premium.

Attachments – Fewer attachments than the “Total Clean” model, but they can be purchased separately if you need them.

Bottom Line

The Dyson V8 cordless vacuum is fantastic for those who are looking for the flexibility of a stick and handheld vacuum cleaner. The two suction modes provide more flexibility as well as the wide variety of additional heads. The long runtime and fairly short charge time (based on cordless competitors) makes the Dyson V8 a very good candidate.

Dyson V8 Key Features

Advanced V8 Digital Motor – Dyson’s patented V8 motor spins up to 110,000rpm using neodymium magnets and produces up to 115 AW (air watts) on ‘max’ mode. This makes it the most powerful cordless vacuum on the market.

2 Tier Radial Cyclones – The V8 uses 2 tier radial cyclone technology. Within the motor, there are 15 individual small cyclones that work together to generate incredible suction. It has the ability to capture even the most microscopic of dirt particles as small as 0.3 microns. To put that into perspective a grain of salt is 100 microns.

Lightweight and Ergonomic – Weighing in at just 2.61kg this cordless vacuum is easy on the wrists and arms. This is especially important when using it on stairs, walls, and ceilings. You can also remove the long tubular attachment to use it as a handheld vacuum cleaner.

Battery Life

The V8 uses a six-cell lithium-ion battery with nickel-cobalt-aluminium chemistry. This allows it to generate the pre-mentioned high power setting of up to 115 AW. It is designed to store a large amount of energy and expel it quickly but without fading. The battery life may leave a lot to be desired for those who haven’t used a cordless before, but it’s usually efficient enough to clean most homes in one go. On the standard setting, it can vacuum for up to 40 minutes, and forgetting the really dirty areas the max setting only works for around 6-8 minutes. When charging the Dyson V8, it takes approximately 3 ½ to reach full charge which is less than the stipulated 5 hours.

Our Experience

Before testing the Dyson V8, I was quite sceptical that it would be able to live up to the advertised battery life. However, within the first few days of using the cordless cleaner, I soon realised that Dyson was not selling me a gimmick. The vacuum cleaner exceeded my expectations providing consistent power and accurate battery life with each charge cycle lasting between 30 – 45 minutes, depending on whether or not I had switched to the max power mode during each cycle. The V8 battled through various terrains, from hardwood flooring to bedroom carpets and easily overcame the hard to clean areas, such as where my girlfriend brushes her hair.

Design & Accessories

The Absolute V8 is an attractive looking cordless hoover that comes in a mixture of orange, violet, and argent. Those who have purchased it have also commented that it’s easy to use due to its ergonomics and lightweight. As can be expected from a high-end manufacturer such as Dyson, the quality of the design is evident. There is no trace of a cheap ‘plasticky’ feel that is present with some other cordless vacuum cleaners. For instance, the connections and buttons are crisp to use and the flexible cleaning heads make getting around the home a breeze. The main heads are a little smaller compared to other vacuum cleaners though.

It comes with a docking station for on-the-wall charging that also allows for two additional attachments. The quick release attachments available out of the box are as follows:

Mini soft dusting brush which is great for corners (especially areas between the wall and ceiling).

Crevice tool for those hard to reach areas. This is especially good when cleaning your car.

Mini motorized tool when you choose to use this hoover as a handheld.

Combination tool.

The main motor head which is ideal for carpets.

Soft roller cleaner head which is ideal for hard flooring.

Note: you don’t have to use the charging station. In situations where you don’t want to drill into your wall or if you are like me and living in rented accommodation, you can simply use the good old fashioned plug and cord charger.

Size & Dimensions

The Dyson V8 is a lightweight, cordless vacuum that weighs just 4.1kg. It is tall enough for the tallest of people (I am 6ft 1 inch) and can be used at multiple angles for those who are on the shorter side.

Height – 49 inches

Width – 8.8 inches

Weight – 4.1kg

Performance

Dyson V8 Hardwood Floor

Dyson V8 Carpet Cleaning

Dyson V8 Handheld

Due to being cordless and lightweight, the Dyson Absolute vacuum excels at cleaning stairs as well as difficult-to-reach places you would usually use a broom for (such as cleaning cobwebs off the ceiling). The standard ‘powerful’ setting can be used for the majority of applications, especially on a hardwood floor for instance. It also makes light work of regular dirt from regular traffic on carpeted areas. The only downside is that you need to use the main motor head for carpeted flooring, and the soft roller cleaner for hard flooring. This might be inconvenient for those who have a mixture of both in their homes or have a lot of rugs.

It has a relatively low capacity of 0.54 litres which means you might be emptying it frequently if your home gets dirty often. However, it’s easy to empty and does so in a manner that means you don’t get dirt all over yourself. It does well picking up various materials which include pet hair from flooring and furniture, though in some instances the max power setting needs to be used. This is especially the case for particles such as sand in deep carpeting, which can be a problem if it’s a large area as the battery doesn’t last very long in this setting.

Our Experience

When testing the V8, I did have to empty the bin twice, interestingly the first time I emptied the bin, the Dyson began pulsating on and off in groups of 5. This is a built-in warning system that allows the user to know when there is an issue with the product, in my case, it was the fact that the bin was full and the funnel was clogged.

Test Results

Hardwood Floor

Carpets

Specifications

Specifications

Type

Cordless

Manufacturer

Dyson

Model

V8

Runtime (minutes)

40 minutes

Charging Time

3 hours 30 minutes

Length (inches)

49

Width (inches)

8.8

Weight (kg)

2.61

Voltage (volts)

21.6

Floor Type

All

Bin Capacity (litres)

0.54

Cordless

Yes

Bagless

Yes

Return Policy

Warranty

Retailer

Value

The Dyson V8 series of cordless vacuum cleaners are among the most expensive available today (save for the automatic robot cleaners). However, most people looking at Dyson will be expecting to pay a higher price due to the company’s reputation and dedication to advancing its technologies. Included in the price is a 2 -year guarantee and customer service that you can rely upon. Even so, only you can decide if the price is worth it or not. If you are swapping from a standard cord to cordless vacuum cleaner, or even replacing a cheaper model that didn’t stand up to the task, it makes sense to get one that will do the job.

When it comes to purchasing a vacuum cleaner, if you are set on owning a cordless vacuum cleaner then the Dyson V8 is going to be our top pick. However, if your working with a tighter budget then we would recommend the Vax Blade 32v which you can read about here.

Verdict

The Dyson V8 Absolute is a widely popular battery powered hoover, despite its high price tag. Its primary improvement over the earlier V6 and V7 models is battery life and a more powerful ‘max’ mode for spot cleaning. Compared to a traditionally corded vacuum cleaner it has it’s pros and cons, but when it comes to cordless it’s one of the best and has even made vacuuming a novelty again for many. It deserves its place in the market for its versatility alone, but if you’re just looking for a standard upright cordless hoover then you should consider comparing other reviews for a cheaper model.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the Absolute model still be used for homes with pets?

Although the Animal model comes with a specific head that is better for picking up hair, the Absolute main head is still very effective. One reviewer stated “We have a cat and I couldn’t believe how much cat hair it removed from our rug. The rug is two years old and it looked like new again.”

Is the standard mode enough for cleaning most dirt, or do I need to use the max setting?

Most people get by with the standard ‘powerful’ setting for normal cleaning and even when their floor is dirtier than normal. The max setting should primarily be used for spot cleaning where more power is needed for very dirty areas or stubborn areas such as animal hair caught in sofa fabric.

Can I clean my whole house on one charge?

People who live in small to medium-sized homes or apartments should be able to clean their homes on one charge using the standard mode. Some users found it better to rather clean one room or floor at a time between charges throughout the day or week.

Should I leave it on charge all the time?

Yes. The vacuum cleaner is ‘A’ energy rated and won’t draw any significant electricity once it’s fully charged. It’s best to keep it fully charged so you can use it when you need it.

How do I clean the filters?

The V8 Absolute uses two filters – a pre and post motor filter. Both can be removed and cleaned with cold running tap water. It is important to let them dry for at least 24 hours before re-installing them.

I’m looking for a good vacuum cleaner for my mother who is elderly. Is this a good option?

Although loved by people of all ages, this vacuum is popular for older individuals due to its light weight and ease of use.

Having gone through the rigmarole of choosing and purchasing a vacuum cleaner, Will knows best the absolutely horrendous journey of a vacuum cleaner consumer. He now focuses his time and attention on helping you find the perfect vacuum cleaner for your needs.

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